Häxan, Witchcraft Through the Ages (1922)
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Summary/Overall: I’m gonna merge the summary with my comments because frankly, what the film is about is difficult to describe. It’s partially a documentary and other part a drama split into 7 parts, some with title cards and others with acting. It’s a silent film from 1922 which also has an edited 1968 version, which cuts out the filmed title cards sequences with narration by William S. Burroughs (Author of “Naked Lunch”). Basically it is a film detailed witchcraft throughout the last millennia including burnings, hangings and whatever way to treat suspects witches. What’s important about the film is what it took to make the film in 1922 including the subject matter. Banned for a long time, it was not that popular of a film because the subject matter was so controversial. It really shows a lot about Satanism and even attempts to explain how we spent hundreds of years persecuting individuals who sole sin was not being mentally stable. These “victims” were not devil worshipers but basically hysterical. What’s important to remember is that it comes off as a documentary and yet remains a drama. The jazziness of the 1968 version almost takes away from the atmosphere that the 1922 version exhibits so well. I say try and watch the original version, even though it can be long and tedious. It’s still a piece of work. The film is weird, different, unique but probably worth at least 1 viewing.
Comparison: Nosferatu meets Witches of Eastwick |
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